Wooden parquet flooring block and method and apparatus for producing the same



c. E. TIBBALS 2,983,295 wooDEN PARQUET FLOORING BLOCK AND METHOD AND APPARATUS PoR PRoDUcING THE SAME 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 S m .w E 0,. O SE1 29230K Wk 4 W 10 W.. E, n E. L' Y .my h mkwdklk my, W )Qvu .wxx i@ /C wnw. MWLLSU Whig@ l l l l l l I l l l I I 1 l l u l l l l l l l l l l u l I l l l l l I l l l um.

HUEHLHH H H H H H E May 9, 1961 Filed Jan. 29, 1958 May 9, 1961 Filed Jan. 29, 1958 c E. 'nBBALs 2,983,295

WOODEN PARQUET FLOORING BLOCK AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORl M @duw-17 l 1, We ATTORNEYS May 9, 1961 c. E. TIBBALs 2,983,295

WOODEN PARQUET FLOORING BLOCK AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME Filed Jan. 29, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 dif/23 l Y l OA Y?? Z RETO 67u27' 65E, i a 5 @7 I y Y`82 BY m] 77 64 y I. 6

79 83 ATTOR/Vf K5' May 9, 1951 c. E. TIBBALS 2,983,295

WOODEN PARQUET FLOORING BLOCK AND METHOD ANO APPARATUS ROR RROOUOING TEE SAME 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 29, 195B INVENTOR. Carles E ba/ls f ATroR/vfy f2 May 9, 1951 c. E. TIBBALS 2,983,295

WOODEN PARQUET FLOORING BLOCK AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 29, 1958 0 M w IJ 2u w 6 ww 7- M W l o f www: O O G m IVI 7 1? w I. M ma .w Ja ,w l 5# M mf a MM g M @1W w51 wlhm m. O O /H 39 O 5# 11 3 y d w M JL lgn/ 1N VEN TOR. C'zarles E'. Tz'bbczZs May 9, 1951 c. E. TIBBALS 2,983,295

WOODEN PARQUET FLOORING BLOCK AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 29, 1958 19 INVENTOR. C'zarles E. TibbaS WM /J 2 rroR/vfy United States Patent() WOODEN PARQUET FLOORING BLOCK AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUC- ING THE SAME Y Charles E. Tibbals, Oneida, Tenn., assignor to Wood Products Development Company, Inc., Oneida, Tenn.,

The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for the production of parquet llooring blocks and to an improved block formed thereby.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier.

tiled co-pending United States applications Serial No. 657,184, led May 6, 1957; Serial No. 666,322, filed .lune 18, 1957 (now Patent No. 2,961,021); and Serial No. 670,184, filed July 5, 1957.

The first of the Iapplications (Serial No. 657,184) discloses the broad concept of cutting wooden strips into separate slats, the colation of a group of such slats into a block-forming assembly, and the securing of the slats of the group into a discrete oon'ng block through the medium of an adhesive web.

The second application (Serial No. 666,322, now Patent No. 2,961,021) proposes the retention of the block slats by a plurality of knurled wires embedded in the under surfaces of the slats. The specic method and 'i apparatus involved a sawing of grooves in the slats, the

insertion of the wire in the aligned grooves ofthe ,slat' group forming a block, and the severance of thel wireV within the contines of a terminal slat of the block. Tov

insure the proper positional relation of the wire and a succeeding block, the wire (afterh severance andginitial insertion into sequentially advanced slat assemblies) iS tensioned and pulled rearwardly relative to the direction of movement of the blocks prior to its final seated ,en'

gagement in the second or succeeding block.

The most recent of these applications (Serial o."

670,184) was directed to the wire-retained block, perse,

and to an assembly ofvsuch blocks made by' the method So far as the product is concerned, definiteimprove-- ments over those disclosed and claimed vin my ,earliery Y eliminates the diiculty controlled fluid pressure operated Wire kinking mechanism. A mechanically timed and cam-operated wire removal device driven from the commonV machine drive is utilized to removeV the severed wire fragments bridging adjacent assembled blocks.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide an improved Wire-retained parquet flooring block formed of a plurality of individual slats and a retaining wire clinched intoterminal slats of the block.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of an improved method of making a parquet ooring block from a plurality of individual Wooden slats by inserting a continuous wire into grooves formed in the under side of the slats, sequentially severing the wire within the contines of successive blocks, gripping the wire remnants intermediate the blocks, and -removing the Wire remnants. Y

A further important object of this invention is the provision ofan limproved apparatus for making parquet l, flooring blocks and including sequentially operable wire cutting and removing devices which are drivenfrom a r by a common `wire which is positioned within slots applications have been obtained. Notablygthe4 depthof' the groove in which the wire is seatedhas bleenaapp'r'e ciably reduced, thereby increasing both eiectivewean thickness and strength of the block. Additionally;the.l terminal ends of the wires are deformedV and clinched into the terminal slats ,of the bloclgtherebyV increasing;

block caused bythe former use ofhigh tensile steelw'irei.'

The improved method herein proposed avoids a'vrear-y Ward movement of the knurled and rougheuedV wire in:`

the slat grooves, thereby avoiding the inherent br'oa'chingof the grooves andthe resultant `Venlargement thereof.` The method further proposes the severing of the -wire'inl positively timed sequence within the contines of both the forward and rearward terminal slat's of eachblo'ckV and the subsequent removal of those wireremnants interposed between the finished blocks. i

The apparatus of this invention is substantially more.v

simple than. that heretofore (disclosed and specifically;

formed in an under surface of the slats, the retention wire being relatively soft, annealed, ductile steel and being deformed at its extremities toward the interior of the block to, in effect, forman elongated staple.

Still another object is the provision of an improved method of forming parquet ooring blocks by' the assembly of wooden slats into a block unit, severing the retain-` ing wire within the coniines of the block unit, and simultaneously deformingthe wire cut end into the interior of each terminal block slat.

'It is a still further object of this invention to provide an apparatus wherein a rotatable cutter sequentially contacts each of a pair of block units to sever a retaining wire, and a wire remnant removal device is interposed betweenthe successive block units to remove Ya severedV wire remnant therefrom.

Other objects `and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexe'drdrawings. 4 i:

`O11 the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating the over-all apparatus and method of the present invention;

Figure 2 enlargedaeleyational* View, with parts Figure 7 `is a greatly-,enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on the plane 7-7of Figure 4;

Figure V8 is 'an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the plane 8-8 of Figure 2; Y

Figure 9 is` an enlarged sectionalV view taken along the plane 9?-9 of FigurejS; f

Figure 10 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view similar to Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a sect'onal view taken along the* planev 1I-11 of Figure 10;

-Figure 12gis a sectional view, with parts broken away and yin section; taken -along the'plane 12-12 of Fig- UI2; fig;

Figure 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the planes 13-13 of Figure l2;

Figure 14 is a greatly enlarged sectional View taken along the plane 14-.14 of Figure 12;y

Figure 15 is a rotated elevational view corresponding to the fragmentary sectional view ofjFigure 14;

Figure 16 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar toa portion of Figure 12;

Figure 17 isa perspective View illustrating a portion of the mechanism of Figure 14;

Figure 18 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the plane 18-18 of Figure 2; Y

Figure 19 is a sectional view taken along the plane 19-19 of Figure 18;

Figure 20 Vis a plan view of a pair of parquet ooring blocks of the present invention illustrated as supported upon the drive chains;

Figure 21 is an end elevational view of one of the flooring blocks of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is awsectional view taken along the plane 22,-22 of Figure 21;

Figure 23 is a bottom elevational View of the parquet flooring block of Figure 20; and

Figure 24 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective'view of one of the drive chains.

Y As shown on the drawings:

General method l 'In Figure 1, theenti-re method and apparatus of the present invention is diagrammatically illustrated.

As shown in Figure 1, elongated, relatively narrow wooden strips of a widthand thickness suitable for the formation of rough finished parquet flooring blocks are formed into cut slats of desired size by passing the strips through a gang cutter, preferably'of the rotary saw type wherein a plurality of uniformly spaced saw blades are disposed upon a common power driven shaft. The Vstrips are of random length, thusV permitting the use ofV other- Wise unusable scrap material. g v

The cut slats are then conveyed longitudinallyfrom the Slat conveyor to a sorting station atwhich the slats are sub-divided into unassembled block uhits containing the appropriate number of slats necessary toV forma complete flooring block. These unassembled units are formed by a transversely operating, reciprocating lsorting Y mechanism. VThe block units are conveyed laterally for transfer onto an endlessy drive chain provided with means for separating, and retaining the identity of, the indi- Y vidual block units. Actually, a pair of endless chains Y are preferably utilized. These chains and other appara- .y tus elements herein disclosed are duplicated as (for ex- Yand the sorting Vmechanism are fully describedV in my earlier led application Serial No. 657,1345A hereinbefore This cutting,'conveyng and sorting mech-v referred to.

4 present invention and need not be disclosed in detail herein.

The wire which is utilized `for retaining the slats in block form is preferably passed from a supply coil through a wire knurler to the vicinity of the assembly drum. At the drum, the wirey passes beneath a pivotal holding dog 'for retaining the wire under tension. The

. feeding of wire is controlled by a pivotal wire tension .'the general use of a knurling machine is to be found in my lPatent No. 2,961,021, issued November 22, 1960. However the utilization of the wire tension arm and the limit switch to control operation of the wire knurler is Y novel as disclosed in tln's application.

'The wire is inserted into the aligned slat grooves under tension and the wire is severed by a Vwire Vcutter of a novel type which is hereinafter 'more fully described and claimed.v Thiswire cutter actually Vemploys a pair of Vcutting knives which are spaced peripherally of the Vassembly drum to sequentially sever the wire adjacent the Vtrailing edge of one block unit and adjacent the leading edge of the next successive block unit. The two successive blocks thus are joined by a short length or rem- I nant of wire.

Following passage of the wire cutter, theA assembled blocks are interposed between the assembly drum and 'an insert Yroller which firmly seats the wire within the block groove. Next, the short wire rem-nant intermediate successive Ablocks is removed -by a wire remnant re- `mover driven by the drive `chain and actuated in timed anism forms no part of the present inventionfand need* .l

not be disclosed in detail herein.

' After having been transferred to the drivechaim thef slats are -conveyed in unassembled,f but unit separated,

groups to an assembly drum about which tlfiegdrivel chain VisV partially lapped.` Prior to vintroduction of Vthe chain onto the assembly drumythe'underV surfacesV of the slats are grooved by Contact with 'one-.or'more :circular saws which cut partially' through each slat.Y As Y,the drive chain is partially' 'lapped about the assemblyv 'dmmg'jtheV Vfslat units are deformed Vto a concavefconguration and,

while'being retainedv in this configuration, a wire is guided into each of the grooves formed on the under surface ofA the slats. `Y f sequence to the travel of the blocks to grasp the wire remnant and to remove the sameV from the finished block. The nished, discrete, assembledV ooring unit is removed from ythe drive chain by a block removal conveyor lapped about a drivechain return roller. the block, the dn've chain is returned to pick up additional jblock units.

From the foregoing -generaldescriptiom it will be apf, preciated that the present invention thus provides `certain improvements in a continuous method of making parquet flooring units. 7 f Y YGeneral assembly VThe generalapparatus of the present invention utilizes av pair of transversely. spaced link-type conveyorvchains to convey pre-assembled flooring block units' throughV the assembly process. j

illustrated in Figures, 2 and 24, each lsuch chain comprises spaced chainblocks indicated generally at 30, and interconnected by longitudinally spaced'z'hain` links 31. ThefchainsltvlocksY 30'lie outside the longitudinal extremities ofthe individual slats:32V (Figures v2 and. 8) and the intermediate linksl of each of the chains overlies Vthe lateral longitudinal"outer-extremities of the slats 32. This relationship ofthe chain blocks 3U, chain v links 3:1,4 and slats 32 is best illustrated in Figure 20ct the drawings. Y v

lThe chainsvare guided by 1 idler sprockets,v such as sprocket 33,-and the chain is'drivenby theV terminal or erally at36. VThisasser'nbly"drum 36 is substantially the sameV as'thatY disclosed in my earlier vapplicatien seand leomprisesja :central shaft 31 e-(journalled upon atsupport,

Following removal of E frame 38), a plurality of radial spokes 39, and a central peripheral Slat-contacting peripheral surface 40. The lateral extremities of this surface 40 are defined by a pair of radially enlarged ribs 41 (Figures 2 and 18). The transversely spaced chains correspond in spacing to the transverse spacing of the ribs 41, the chain blocks 30 fitting snugly against the inner directed faces'of the ribs 41, so that the slats 32 will be laterally confined therebetween. It will be noted that the links 31 lie outside the confines of the blocks 30, with the inner links 31 of each chain overlying the adjacent longitudinal extremity of each slat 32. The chain links 31 thus conne the slats 32 against the peripheral surface 40 of the assembly drum. Inasmuch as the chain is maintained under tension, it assumes a concave configuration corresponding to the convex curvature of the peripheral surface .40 of the drum 36.

From Figures 24 and 18, it will be seen that spaced chain blocks 30 are provided with transversely projecting lugs 42 which extend inwardly to project beyond the links 31. These lugs 42 serve to separate the groups of slats defining the preassernbled block units as supplied to the chains.

As best illustrated in Figure l, it will be seen that the pre-assembled slats are placed upon the chain in longitudinally spaced relation. 'I'he spacing between adjacent Slat pre-assemblies correspond to the 4longitudinal dimension of the lugs 42 andthe spacing between the lugs corresponds to the longitudinal extent of each group of slats.

The lugs 42 perform one other function, and that is to urge the drum-contacting edges of the slats 32 into snug lateral abutment, as explained in my earlier led applications. Y Y

Preceding the assembly of the. slats, and preferably prior to the confining of the slats against the peripheral surface 40 of the drum 36, transversely spaced grooves are formed in the under surface of thev slats. These grooves are indicated by reference numeral 45 in Figures 2l, 22 and 23, the grooves being generally rectangular in cross-section and opening onto the under surface of each of the slats. These grooves are formed by the operation of circular saws indicated generally at 46 in Figure 2 of the drawings. Such saws having been disclosed in my Patent No. 2,961,021, issued November 22, 1960, and need not be described in detail in this application.

Thus, by the time the -slatsl .are brought into contact with the convex surface 40 of the Adrum 36, the slats have been grooved and the grooves of adjacent slats will necessarily be aligned, inasmuch as the slats were pre-assembled into block unit prior to the grooving operation.

Y Next, a-wire is placed in each of the spaced grooves 45. The mechanism for placing-a wire in each of the grooves is illustrated in Figures l, 2, 18 -md 19 of the drawings.,

Generally, the wire may be described as a low carbon,

low tensile, `annealed but not quenched, number 6 carbon r wire. This wire is ductile and soft,y but has sucient tensile strength to withstand its feeding intoV the slat grooves and to maintain the slats into an assembled block.

The wire knurler, indicated generally at 1n Flgure 1,

v affords an excellent means for controlling the feeding of -pivoted, as at 56, to a fixed point (suchV as the .wire

knurler housing) and having at its tree endfa terminal roller. 57 contacting the wire strand 52. Changesv in the tension'of the wire` 52"wi1l necessarily change the relative vertical position of the wire tension arm Changes in position of the wire tension arm are utilized to actuate and de-actuate a limit switch 58. This limit switch may turn the wire knurler olf and/ or may vary the speed of opeartion of the wire knurler to maintain a substantially constant tension in the wire strand 52 and a substantially constant feeding rate therein. Thus, the combination of the limit switch 58 and the wire tension arm 57 provides means for controlling the feeding of the wire, and also means for synchronizing the operation of the two separate wire knurlers 50 (one such knurler, limit switch, `and Wire tension arm being provided for each wire strand).

Each wire strand 52 is held against the block slats 32 by a holding dog assembly indicated generally at 60 in Figures 18 and 19. A substantially identical holding dog assembly has been earlier described in my Patent No. 2,961,021, issued November 22, 1960, Vand need be only generally described here.

Generally, the holding dog assembly 60 comprises a lgenerally inverted U-shaped frame defined by transverse element 61 and vertical elements 62 secured by suitable means to a pair of arcuate supporting bars or angle irons 63 generally underlying the assembly drum 36 for supporting various assembly elements, as well be hereinafter more fully described. The holding dogs per se each comprise dog tooth elements 65 rigidly connected to a depending actuating arm 66, the rigid tooth and arm assembly being disposed for rotation about pivot pins 67 carried by the transverse frame member 61. Two such dog tooth and arm assemblies 65, 66 are provided in transversely spaced position, the teeth being aligned with the slots or grooves 45 formed in the slats 32 (Figure 18).

The dog teeth 67 are urged into contact with the exposed under surfaces of the slats 32 by coil compression springs 68 interposed between the arms 66 and a trans-Y verse spring reaction plate 69 carried by the frame elements 63. Thus, it will be seen that' the Wire strands 52 are trained beneath and urged against the slats by the dog teeth 65. The dog teeth thus serve initially to'urgev generally described and hereinafter particularly described.

The final finished block 70 (Figure 1 and Figures 20-23, inclusive) isthen removed from the wires` by operation of a block removal conveyor operating between the .wires in the manner set forth in my Patent No. 2,961,021,

issued `November 22, 1960.

Wire cutting -apparatus i The wire cutting apparatus of the presen-t invention is particularly illustratedin Figurm 3-7, inclusive, hereof.

This wire cutting apparatus includes `a transverse drive shaft 71 journalled for rotation in bearings 72 supported on bearing blocks 73 from the arcuate suppont angles 63. This transverse shaft has secured thereto for rotation therewith, as by heat or the 'like (not shown), a pair of transversely spaced drive sprockets 74. These drive sprockets 74 mesh with the chains 30 as vthe chains are lapped about the assembly drum. Thus, rotation of the assembly drum and longitudinal displacement of the chainV drives the shaft 71.

Also mounted on the shaft 71 axially adjacent each of the sprockets 72 is a wire cutting assembly denoted generally by reference numeral 75. These cutter assemblies 75 maysatisfactorily comprise a central, generally cylinassemblies 75 is insured bythe useV of cap screws or the like -78 having enlarged heads 79 contacting thev end plates 77 of the cutter assembly andy threadedly retained byaligned apertures 74a in the sprocket 74. Co-rotation of the shaft 71 and the sprocket-cutter assembly 74, 75 may be insured by a key 75a.

The cutter assembly 75 carries fourindividual cutters 84). These cutters have body portions 31 which are rectangular in Vcross-section and which lare recessed into the body portion 76 of the cutterV assembly 75, as in radial slots 82' (Figure 7). The cutters 89 are retained in radially adjusted position by set screws 83, inserted in threaded apertures 84 in cover plate 77. Additionally, the cutters 8i) are retained against radial displacement by the cover plate 77.

It will be noted from Figure 6 that the body portion V76 of the cutter assembly 75 is of larger diameter than portions 86 of the body portion, and the peripheral extremity 85 being of a width less than that of the slot 45 of a superimposed slat 32. The radial'dimension of lthe periphery 85 Vof each cutter assembly 75 is such that it will project Yinto the groove 45 and tend to urge the wire strand 52 upwardly in the slot 45. This :peripheral surface 85 is recessed, as at 87, to accommodate the cutter elements 8i) and also Ito accommodate the passage of a -chain lug 42 between the cutters S0. Y

The timed relationship between rotation Vof the cutter assemblies 75 and an adjacent group of slats is best illustrated lin Figures 4 and 5, wherein it willy be seen that the two adjacent cutters Si? span twordifterent Ygroups of slats 32 and the chain lug 42 interposed therebetween. The leading cutter 86 of each pair of -cutters projects into the terminal slat 32 of one group of slatsV toV sever the wire strand 52,'and the Itrailing cutter 86 of each pair of cutters projects into the leading terminal slat 32 of the next succeeding group of slats to Vseverthe wire. The cutters 80 lthus sever the wire strand 32 in two places bridging adjacent groups of slats to form a wire remnant, 90 bridging the groups of slats and a lengthV of wire 91 of a longitudinal extent less than that of thegroup of slats. Y Y Y -Further, as best shown in Figure 5, the severance ofV the lwire necessarily deformsthe end 92 of the length y of wire 91 upwardly relative to the cutter shaft 71,'Vradi- Y Yally'inwardly relative to the assembly drinn `36 and V.toward the'upper surface ofjtheV terminal slatt 32'jof the groupzof vslats'. The terminal cutting edge of` eachlof the- Y cutters 8G is oa transverseextent greaterthan thewidth Vof the slotor groove'45 formed in eachof the slats 327. Y' VrI'l'n1s,it will beseen'thatoperationof the cutter afssern-` Vbly 7,5 severs the wire strandintodiscrete, predeter-` mined lengthsV 9 '1 sucient: to secureAV the slats of'each group ofslats-intoa iinal block 70 and also to Vdeiorrn the Wire ends 92 `upwardly into the body of Ythe terminal' sl'ats32. Due to theprovision of two V'pairs `et cutters S for each cutter assembly 75, the wire is severed at fourV places during each revolution of the cutter assembly shaft 71. The remnants 953 are of a length greater than the..lugs 42 so as to bridge the gap between adjacent Vgroups .of sla'tsr32, this lengthbeing determined by the peripheralspacing oil fthe cutters kSil .of each pair of the.' superimposed terminal slat 32 is determined by the radialV extension of each cutter 36 beyond the radial di- Y mension necessary to merely sever the Wire. Obviously, Y'the location of the` severedend 92er" the wire 91 within thegterminal slatV 32' is determined'rby theperipheral posi# Wire insert rolls Following the severing rof the wire strand 52 into the discrete wire lengths 91 binding the slats of each group into a nal block assembly, and the wire remnants 90, the knurled wire is driven home in the grooves by inseret rolls illustrated in Figures S-l l, inclusive.

These twire insert rolls are denoted by reference numeral 10i? and are carried by transversely extending shafts 101 similar to the cutter assembly shaft 71 heretofore described. The insert rolls 10()Y are secured by suitable means, as by bolts 102, to sprockets 193 for co-rotation, and the roll-sprocket assembly 193 is maintained in co-rotatable relation with the shaft 101 by suitable means, as by key 104.

The insert roller is provided with a radially beveled side surface which tapers to a substantially reduced periph-` Wire remnant remover The means for removing the short wire remnant interposed between successive block assemblies and severed by the wire `cutting apparatus heretofore described is illustrated in Figures l2-l7, inclusive.

Generally, this wire removal device comprises a transversevshafgt journalled in iixed bearings 111 which` are carried by the sidewalls 63 heretofore described to underlie the assembly drum 36. Underlying the shaft 110 and in alignment with-a radius common to the shaft 110 `and the shaft 37 of the drum 36 is a lower support plate 112.

Disposed upon the shaft 110 and secured thereto for co-rotation therewith are a pairV of transversely spaced sprockets `1173. These sprockets 113 are substantially identical `with sprockets 103 and 74 vheretofore described. Upon rotation of the drum 36 and upon longitudinal advancement of the chains 30', the shaft 110 will be rotated in timed relation.

As best illustrated in Figures 14 and ,15, each pair ofre'moval devices 115 is secured to the shaftby means of a pair of diametrically extending bolts 116 extending through shaft apertures 117. Confined,V by the heads of the bolts116 on one side and "by'nuts 116 on ythe other side ofthe shaftare a pair Vof retainer plates' 12,9 b est illustrated in vFigure 17.kr These plates each include a diagonally lextendingslot 121 intermediate vplate apertures 122 which yareadapted to receive the bolts 1 16. A

rectangular recess 123 isprovided adjacent one lateral cutters'. .The extent of deformation'ofthe wire 92 into extremity of the plate 12). Ille slot 121 Iand there/cess 123 cooperate to define therebetween ay generally triangular embossment 124 anda second trapezoidal embossment 125.

As shown in Figure 12, the plates 12hl serve -to retain upon the shaft theV wire removal elements 115,' which comprise Va rst. or Ystationary gripping element and a secondpr movable gripping Yelement klrlrmovable relative to the `fixed, element 131i about a pivot'pins'. The iixedy Y gripping element ,13d has an extension 133 adapted to be Y retained withinthe slot.121, and the movable element 131 has a depending extension 134 movablewithin therectangular recess. 123. To aid in'ret'aining the gripping elements 115upon the shaft'110,'the shaft is Vprov'ided'wi-thV VVa peripheral recess 135 and the plate 120Y and the bolts 116 Vcooperateto maintain the fixed gripping element extensio'ii133'in iixed positionY in ytliershaft recessVv 1355" The 9 movable extension 134 of Ithe movable element 131 is movable within the recess 123 and shaft recess 135.

The gripping elements 131 and 130 are moved relative to one another by cam means including a cam follower or roller 140 journalled upon a depending, yangularly related extension rod 141 secured to the free end of the movable extension 134, as by a cylindrical block 142 welded to the rod 141 and to the extension 134.

The cam follower 140 cooperates with an adjustable arcuate cam 145 which is carried from the lixed plate 112 by an upstanding cam arm 146. The cam follower '140 is coniined against the arcuate cam 145 by an upstanding roller guide 147 also carried by the plate 112. To-maintain the gripping elements 130 and V131 in a normally spaced, non-grippingrelation, a tension coil spring 150 is utilized to interconnect Ithe cam rods 141 of that pair of elements 115 aligned axially of the shaft 110. It will be noted from Figure 2 that this spring, because of its tensile strength, normally pulls the cam followers 140 toward the vertical center line of the shaft 110, thereby moving the movable element extension 134 in a counterclockwise direction. Contact between la cam roller 140 and the arcuate cam 145 will urge the movable element extension 134 in a clockwise direction. These directions of movement apply only to the left hand pair of radially aligned elements 115, and these directions are reversed for the right hand pair of gripping` elements 115.

The operation of the gripping device, as illustrated in Figures l2-l7, inclusive, will be readily understood inasmuch as the operation of the fixed element 130 and the movable element 131 of each pair is identical with the operation of a pair of pliers.

The timing of the operation is controlled by engagement `of the sprocket 113 with the chain 30 so that rotation of the shaft 110 is so synchronized `with rotation of the drum as to bring a .gripping element 115 intermediate each lblock or block group of slats. The location of the cam 145 is such that a cam roller 140 is in contact -with the cam surface whenever the corresponding gripping unit 115 is inserted between adjacent block units. Thus, the elements 130 and 131 arepositioned so that their extremities lie on either side of the wire remnant as the lug separating a pair of adjacent block units approaches alignment with a common radius of the shaft 110and the shaft 37 ofthe drum 36.

Next, the movable element 131 is forced toward the fixed element 130 by engagement of the cam follower 140 with the cam surface 145. As -the 4follower 140 moves over the face of cam 145, the movable elment 131 is moved into engagement with the wire remnant 90, and the remnant is clamped between the elements 130 and 131 as illustrated in Figure v16 of the drawings.

v Further advancement of the drumwill displace the slat groups to the left, as indicated by the directional arrow of Figure 13, and continued rotation of the shaft 110 will likewise rotate the gripping device 115 to the left, the peripheries ofthe path of movement of the gripping element and theV drum diverging rapidly, because of the differences in diametersof the sprocket 113 and of the drum 36. It will be noted that the face of the cam 145 has 'an appreciable dwell period during which time the gripping elements 130 and 131 remain in gripping engagement with the wire remnant V90, this extended period of time Ybeing suiiicient toV bodily lift the wire remnant from. its position intermediate the adjacent groupsofslats. The gripping means 115 is opened by movement of the movable element ,131 thereof away from thefiixed element 130 thereof. .Such opening movement is accomplished through the medium of the tension spring 1,56,y Of course, opening movement ofthe gripping elements 115 Will release the Wire remnant from its'rgripped position, and the wire remnant will fall free of the gripping means and of the finished block.

The blocks now are finished after having removed the wire remnants, and the blocks are separated from one another so as to'be in their final individual and discrete form.

Finished product The product of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 20-23, inclusive. The finished block comprises a plurality of individual slats 32 which are retained in a close, but non-abutting relation by the ductile Wire 91. The spacing between the adjacent slats is eiected by virtue of the concave shape onto which the block is forced by its conrmation to the assembly drum 36 and the insertion of the wire strand 52 into the grooves 45 of the block undersurface while the block is concave.

The generally rectangular grooves 45 are slightly undersize with respect to the wire 91, so that knurled wire is rmly seated within the slat grooves. Further, as will be particularly evident from Figure 22, the forcing of the free end 92 of the wire 91 into the body of the terminal slat 32 aids materially in preventing longitudinal displacement of the slats from the completed block 70. It has been found that the clinched wire 91 functions almost as an elongated staple in retaining the slats against displacement. The improved longitudinal strength of the iinished block 70 is due in large measure to the clinching of the terminal wirevportions As illustrated in Figure 23, the severance of the wire by the operation of the cutting elements also forms a depression or dimple 92a extending transversely of the slot or groove 45. The occurrence of this dimple has been found not to be deleterious to the quality of a complete block assembly.

The utilization of ductile, low carbon, annealed wire has been found to be extremely desirable, inasmuch as such Wire has very low inherent resiliency, the blocks readily return to a flat condition after they have been removed from the forming drum, and the easily severed wire clinches easily and abruptly, as at 92, into the terminal slats.'

Of course, the blocks 70 possess all of the advantages hereinbefore described in my earlier iiled application Serial No. 670,184 since allrthe block edges may readily be beveled and/or iinished without interference of the Wire with the finishing tools or processes.

While prefer-red embodiments have been described above in detail, it will be understood that numerous modifications might be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as detined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a method of making a parquet flooring block I by the assembly of a plurality of individual elongated slats of rectangular cross-section and each having a groove therein, the steps of inserting a'wire` into the grooves of the group of slats, severing the wire within the conlines of each terminal slat only of said group of slats, and deilecting the Wire end only -intoV the non-grooved portion of the terminal slat, thereby imbedding the wire end in the body of said slat.

2. -In an apparatus for forming a parquet flooring block by the assembly of a plurality of individual identical .wooden slats havingY aligned grooves therein while said slatsV are conveyed in an arcuate path, ,means for guiding a continuous wire strand into the slat grooves, cutting means for severing the wire adjacent the leadingY andV trailing edges of the block as said slats travel in said path, wire gripping means located adjacent to but outside the path of travel of said slats for engagement with `an exposed portion of the severed wire projecting into thegroove but partially lying outside o f the contines of the slats, andnreans'for'moving said'gripping means in an arcuate path diverging from that of said slats in the direction of slat movement;

3. In an apparatus for continuously forming successive groups of grooved slats into discrete flooring blocks,

the slats being carried by spaced conveyor chains having lugs separating the slat groups and the chains being deected into an arcuate path, means for guiding a continuous Wire strand into the slat grooves, cutting means sequentially severing the strand at spaced locations at the leading and trailing edges of each group of slats, and means for engaging and removing the wire remnants intermediate `said groups and including a pair of relatively I group of slats, seating said Wire in said grooves, severing the Wire within the contines of each terminal slat of said group of slats and during said severing `deforming each severed end only of the Wires into the body of the terminal slats beyond the connes of said grooves.

5. Ina method of making parquet flooring blocks by the assembly of successive block groups each comprising a plurality of individual elongated slats having transverse grooves therein, the steps of inserting a continuous wire into the, grooves of successive groups of slats, seating said wire in Vsaid grooves, sequentially severing the Wire at spaced points located Within the contines of each terminal slat ofy said group of slats, and simultaneously Vdetorrning the end Wire into the terminal slats, positively gripping the severed wire remnants intermediate adjacent groups of slats, removing the gripped remnants from contactwith the adjacent vgroups of slats, and thenreleasing the gripped remnants.

6. In a method of making a parquet iiooringblock by the assembly'of a plurality of individual elongated Wood- `en slats of rectangular cross-section, each of said slats having a groove formed therein adjacent the longitudinalterminal edges thereof, the steps of inserting into each of said grooves an elongated wire of a lengthgreater than Vthe composite transverse dimension of the slats, sequentially severing the Wire within the contines of each terminal slat of said group, and simultaneously deforming the ends only of the severed Wires into the terminal slats.

7. In an apparatus for continuously forming succes-V sive groups of grooved slats into discrete flooring -blocks the slats being carried in `spaced groups by conveyor means, means for guidinga continuous Wire strand into -the slatV grooves as theslats are supported and carried by said conveyor'means, cutting means sequentially severing the strand and having peripherally adjacent cutting Y elements sequentially severing Vthe wire at the trailing edge of a leading group of slats and at the leading edge of a trailing group of slats, actuatable gripping means for subsequently engaging and removing the Wire remnants intermediate said groups and Ymeans for actuating said gripping means.

8. In an apparatus for forming a parquet ooring block by the assembly of a plurality of individual identicalwooden slats having aligned grooves therein, means for ,Y conveying said slats `in a path, means for guiding acontinuous -wire` strand Yinto the slat grooves, rotary cutting-means for severing the wire in said grooves as said for movement ina -path diverging from that of said slats to remove the gripped Wire portions .from said groove. 4 Y,

9. In a method of making parquet flooring blocks by the assembly of successive block groups each comprising Va plurality of individual elongated slats of rectangular cross-section, the steps of sequentially advancing spaced block groups, grooving each slat, guiding a continuous Wire strand into the grooves of successive groups of slats, a portion of the wire strand bridging the interval between successive block groups, seating said wire in said grooves, successivelyV severing the Wire within the contines of the trailing terminal slats of one such group and Within the confines of the leading terminal slat of the next successive group, gripping the severed remnant of said strand intermediate said groups, removing the gripped remnant from engagement with said terminal slats, and then releasing the gripped remnant.

10. In a method of making a parquet ooring block by the assembly of successive block groups each comprising individual elongated Wooden slats of rectangular crosssection having aligned grooves formed therein adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof, the steps of conveying said groups in spaced succession in an arcuate path, inserting into the grooves of successive groups an elongated wire strand, sequentially severing the Wire strand within the contines of each terminal slat of said group, gripping the severed Wire segments intermediate said groups, and conveying said gripped and severed segments in a 'divergent path to remove the same from the slat grooves. I A

11. In an apparatus for continuously forming successive groups of grooved slats into discrete flooring blocks, the slats being carried by spaced conveyor chains having lugs separating the slat groups and the chains being deilected into an arcuate path, the improvements of means for guiding a continuous wire strand into the slat grooves, rotary cutting means having peripherally spaced cuttting elements sequentially severing the strand at spaced locations yat the leading and trailing edges of each Y group of slats, means for engaging the severed wire remslats travel Vin said path, wire gripping means located adjacent theV path of travel of said slats for gripping an exposed portion of the severed Wire lying outside of-the conne's of thefslats and` having another' portion lying in said groove, andmeanscarrying said grippingmeans nants intermediate said groups, means for moving the engaging means relative to said groups of slats to remove the severed remnants from said slat grooves, and means for vreleasing said engaging means after removal of said remnants. v

12. In a method of making a parquet flooring block by the assembly of a group of individual elongated slats of rectangular cross-section, each of said slats having a groove formed therein adjacent the longitudinal terminal edges thereof, the V'steps of insertingV into each of said grooves an elongated Wire and deforming the respective ends only 'of said wiresinto the body of the terminal slats only of said group of slats short of the outside edges of said terminal slats. i

References Citedin the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

